First Kilt - Double Box Pleat

[PiperIV]

Hi All,

As promised in my newbie post, here are some pics of the start of my first kilt project. The tartan is Pride of Scotland Silver. I got it on ebay. It's a medium weight wool.



I'm using Barbara Tewksbury's book for the general guidance for layouts and construction.

After a couple false starts on laying out the pleats, I have the box pleats basted in up to the fell.



Detail shot of the double box pleat at the selvedge edge.



Next step is to baste in the shaping above the fell to the waist. Because this is a kilt for a female piper, there is quite a lot of shaping to work in here.



My hope is to have the basting done before our Christmas break here in the frozen north (a balmy -32C today). I want to take the project along to start stitching the pleats while visiting relatives for Christmas.

More pics to follow as I progress. This is not going to be a quick project as work, piping and a university course also compete for my time.

Cheers,
Cathy

[ChattanCat]

Did you sew the pleats from the fell to the top of the kilt yet? Or is that your next step to get the shaping?

[PiperIV]

Did you sew the pleats from the fell to the top of the kilt yet? Or is that your next step to get the shaping?

Will be tacking in the shaping next. Following that, it will be time for scissors to cut away excess fabric in the pleat above the fell. Cutting is a VERY scary proposition, so I will be pausing before taking that step. Measure once, measure twice, pause, think, measure again then cut.

I just found the supplement to the AoKM this morning and am going to study it as well before doing anything permanent like cutting. This is kilt is very much an experiential learning activity, so I am taking my time to consider my options along the way.

[Barb T]

I just found the supplement to the AoKM this morning and am going to study it as well before doing anything permanent like cutting. This is kilt is very much an experiential learning activity, so I am taking my time to consider my options along the way.

I was going to suggest exactly that! I think you can sew this much more simply if you don't try to do the pleat basting first.

[pdcorlis]

Great! I can't wait to see this thread unfold!

[chasem]

diving right in with a big project eh? that's fantastic.

Be sure to keep us updated!

[haxtonhouse]

So far it looks great! I am waiting on some material to start making a kilt myself- I will be interested in your progress. I too have Barbara's book, and am now in the process of reviewing her and Matt's book. I am planning on making a traditional box pleat, I may try a double box on the next one.

[Aldisimo]

Wow! No starting out with an X-Kilt for you, huh? Best of luck, and please post pictures to show your progress if you can!